Happenings in October - AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum

Tuesday 8/10/24

I am already familiar with the AVENE Cleanance range as I am currently using Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel and Cleanance Comedomed. Hence, adding AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum to my routine felt like the perfect complement to complete my skincare set. Thanks Daily Vanity for introducing the product.

AVENE Cleanance A.H.A Exfoliating Serum is suitable for people with sensitive, blemish-prone skin. Its lightweight, watery texture infused with Avène Thermal Spring Water, feels incredibly soothing upon application. 

The serum absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving behind a hydrated, dewy glow without any greasy feeling. The serum is free from fragrance. I noticed it effectively soothed redness and did not trigger any breakouts or discomfort. It’s the perfect addition to my skincare routine.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 1: Deoksugung Palace + Myeongdong Kyoja + Cafe de Paris

As we stepped out of our hotel onto the street, we were surprised to see the road packed with people and surrounded by police. While in the cab earlier, we had also noticed a few police buses, initially thought it was related to Armed Forces Day on 1 Oct.

The police were armed with gear and shield which felt unusual to us, something must be amiss.

It turned out there was a protest by the construction workers' wing of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (those with red band on their head), they were all making their way toward Sungnyemun Gate. Many police were activated to manage any potential disruptions. While it seemed like a regular occurrence in Seoul, it was quite an eye-opening experience for us.

We finally arrived at Deoksugung Palace at 4.30pm after 20 minute walk and observing the protest. I decided to visit this palace as it was within walking distance from our hotel, a convenient spot to explore on our first day.

There are five royal palaces in Seoul with Deoksugung Palace being the smallest among them. This historic site served as the residence of King Gojong, the last monarch of the Joseon Dynasty.

Deoksugung Palace is where tradition meets modernity with the centuries-old architecture set against the backdrop of modern buildings near City Hall.

Deoksugung Palace (德寿宫) means "Palace of Virtue and Longevity" in Mandarin, was renamed in 1907 with the hope for the emperor's long life and prosperity.

Seoul (South Korea) Day 1: Airport Limousine + Lotte Hotel Seoul

After 10 minutes of air taxiing, we moved out of the plane and made our way toward customs. 

The queue for custom clearance was madness, likely due to the China Golden Week holiday. Visitors are required to fill in an arrival card. We started queuing at 7.40am and took 1 hour 10 minutes to finally get through. 

 My exchange rate was S$1 : ₩1,017.

 After collecting our baggage and taking long toilet break, we headed to the ticket redemption counter at Gate 6 of Incheon Airport Terminal 1. We needed to exchange our mobile voucher for a physical ticket as we had pre-purchased the round trip Airport Limousine Bus Ticket from Klook for S$32.45 per person. 

As we stepped out of the airport at 9.35am, cool breeze greeted us, I put on my jacket while waiting for Limousine Bus 6015 which would take us to Myeongdong. It has been a long while since I last experienced such a cooling season, it felt refreshing.

The bus came 5 minutes later and we boarded the bus to find very comfortable seating, perfect for the hour-long ride ahead. The bus would make its way to different parts of Myeongdong and our hotel was located at the ninth stop. 

There were jam especially near the cross junction on the expressway, the journey to our bus stop was extended to 1 hour 45 minutes. We reached Lotte Hotel/IBIS Myeongdong stop at 11.25am. 

We spotted Lotte Hotel Seoul at the opposite street, tucked behind Lotte Department Store. It took us about 8 minutes to walk from the bus stop to the hotel as the hotel main lobby was a distance away.

We returned to Lotte Hotel Seoul (main tower) at 2.15pm for check-in. The customer service was top notch. From the moment we arrived, I felt warmly welcomed. The staff rushed to open the car door, and there were ceiling heaters to keep guests standing outside comfortable. The staff were stationed at various lanes in the lobby in suits, putting a smile on their face and ready to cater to the guest needs.

Lotte Hotel Seoul is a 5 star luxury hotel located in Myeongdong. At 38 storey high, it has 1,015 rooms spread across both the main and executive towers. 

Lotte Hotel Seoul

30 Eulji-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

While waiting for the lift, I was captivated by the waterfall cascading behind the glass right next to the lift. It added a touch of sophistication to the hotel ambiance, offering guests at the lift lobby and lounge a tranquil view.

The view from our room at level 18 showed a cityscape of surrounding buildings. To the right, I spotted The Westin Josun Seoul being shone by the sunny rays.

The bathroom was spacious with a bathtub to add to the luxurious experience, I liked the use of Japanese-style toilet with various bidet settings and heated toilet seat for added comfort on cooler days.

Happenings in September - CeraVe Event

Saturday 14/9/24

I joined GF at CeraWorld event held at 122 Mackenzie Road, a collaboration with CeraVe to raise awareness and provide support for eczema care.

During the event, we heard from industry experts on the latest in eczema care and explored CeraVe’s product range. Their selection is ideal for home care, offering nourishing options to support skin health.

There were also interactive games designed to convey messages. For the bowling game, the goal was to knockout dehydration using CeraVe products.

Penang (Malaysia) Day 1: JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La + 1st Avenue Mall

Penang has long been on my travel list, a destination I wanted to explore. I was supposed to visit five years ago, but an unexpected incident just few days before the trip forced me to forgo. Five years later, I finally make that long-awaited trip to Penang.

While we were on the air nearing Penang, raindrops began to hit the plane window and heavy rain blurred the view entirely for awhile.

We landed at Penang International Airport at 3.35pm ahead of schedule and cleared the custom in 25 minutes.

Happenings in August -

Wednesday 7/8/24

We went Hoshino for lunch, one of our frequent dining place. I have the $14.90++ lunch set inclusive of soup and drink. For main course, I had Carbonara with French Fries. It was quite unique to see such a combination.

Gardens by the Bay

 

I was enjoying the familiar sight of the lake as I walked to Flower Dome. Even though I have seen this view countless of times, it still managed to take my breath away every single time. The tranquil waters and the surrounding beauty always create a serene atmosphere.

My pathway was blocked by a huge monitor lizard and there was no one around except me. I waited for a while, watching as the monitor lizard slowly dived into the lake, allowing me to continue my walk.

This spot looked like a great place to soak up the natural beauty, with beautiful trail and lake to admire. I even spotted the monitor lizard I encountered earlier swimming in the lake (near the bottom left).

Places to Dine near Telok Ayer (2024 Edition)

This is my third compilation on new places to dine near Telok Ayer. I can always find new restaurants and cafes that I have yet to try whenever I visit this area. I have came up with another list of recommended places to dine near Telok Ayer.

1. Sichuan Alley

Located in a side alley off Telok Ayer, Sichuan Alley is a little haven of gently coloured wood and bamboo furnishings.

The restaurant featured glass window paired with warm lighting that brighten the interior, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere.

The dishes that I wanted to try were all spicy dishes. We started off with Sichuan Sour Vegetable Fish ($29++) which was appetising. The sliced fish bursting with flavour, making each bite a delight. While the soup may seem tempting, sipping it brought a tingling spiciness that made me need to gulp down my drink.

The Hot & Sour Pork Dumpling ($6.50++) came in a bowl of spicy chilli oil. The spice level was manageable, complemented by a hint of tanginess. The dumpling was juicy, making for a satisfying bite.

We also tried their Speciality Ice Jelly ($5.50++) with brown sugar. It was packed with generous ingredients which includes red bean, almond flakes, hawthorn flakes and etc. Every bite was full of delicious ingredients, making it very worthwhile.

51A Telok Ayer St, #01-01, Singapore 048441

Operating hours: 10.30am to 10pm from Mon to Fri, 10.30am to 9pm on Sat and Sun

Dining In The

The Belgium Chocolate Ice Cream ($4.50++) with wafer biscuit was rich in cocoa taste and smooth, making it a perfect dessert to laze the afternoon away. The only downside was that it was served in a paper cup with a plastic spoon, which is not environmentally friendly for dine in.

Happenings in June -

Saturday 1/6/24

Seeking a more comfortable spot for drinks and dessert, we walked over to Citygate Mall and found ourselves at Diandin Leluk Thai Restaurant. We had Assorted Thai Dessert ($3+) which included tako and tapioca, it was quite worth the price.

Hong Kong Day 3 and 4: Mong Kok + Tsim Tsa Tsui + Central

Monday 24/6/24

I managed to get about 3.5 hours of sleep, waking up at 2:30am and again at 5am. After that, I could not fall back asleep.

Staying in a hotel with such an amazing view, the first thing I did every morning was to check out the scenery. It was only 5.40am and the sky was already bright, with natural light flowing into the room through the slightly opened curtain.

We arrived at Essence restaurant to have 40 minutes buffet breakfast at 9am. The selection was exactly the same as yesterday, so I ended up taking almost the same things I liked from yesterday. I was expecting some variety as hotels typically switch some dishes to offer guests a different experience each day.

After the breakfast, we went back to our room for toilet break and to take our bags. We set off at about 10.15am. 

We took a train down to Prince Edward Station. It was quite a long journey to the city area, which took us 50 minute traveling time, requiring us to change to the red line at Lai King Station. Finding not much to explore at Prince Edward, we strolled down to Mong Kok instead.

It was about 20 minutes walk to Mong Kok, we strolled leisurely along the street, immersing ourselves in the vibrant surroundings and soaking in the atmosphere.

I spent about half an hour shopping at  Argyle Centre and picked up a skirt for myself and some souvenirs as gift. I remembered the shopping centre being quite crowded with youngsters during my last visit. Today was surprisingly quiet, with only half of the shops open. We visited around 12pm, so perhaps it was only crowded on weekends rather than weekdays.

It was 12.50pm when we settled at Chrisly Cafe (Mong Kok) 華星冰室 for lunch. With so many popular restaurants and cafes in Mong Kok, it was hard to choose just one, but I had shortlisted this renowned cha chaan teng. 

Despite the cafe being packed, we were fortunate to have a table to ourselves without sharing, even though a sign indicated that table sharing is required during peak periods. It took us a while to decide what to eat, and the staff kindly guided us through the ordering procedure without any scolding. Their attitude has definitely improved.

I had Regular Set 常餐 at HKD52 (or S$9.06). The set came in huge portion, consisting of spaghetti with BBQ pork, two perfectly cooked fried eggs with runny yolks that oozed out with a burst, two slices of ham, lightly charred buttered toast, and an iced milk tea in classic Hong Kong style.

It was 1.25pm when we finished our meal. We quickly left the cafe as there was queue forming outside.

Chrisly Cafe (Mong Kok) 華星冰室

G/F, 107 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok

Operating hours: 7am to 9pm daily

On the way to Mong Kok station, I chanced upon a shop called Xixi which looked like a great spot to pick up souvenirs for my family and friends. This shop sells bag, cosmetics, accessories at affordable pricing. I got four items at HKD98 (or S$17.07).

Right beside Xixi was another similar concept shop called Uniso. I bought a mini tote bag and two pairs of sock at HKD60 (or S$10.45). 

Satisfied with my purchase, we took a train down to Tsim Tsa Tsui which was just three stops away from Mong Kok station. It was nearly 2.30pm when we reached. We stopped by at K11 Art Mall for toilet break (mall toilets are always my preference). We then slowly made our way towards the Clock Tower for the view of the harbour.

One thing that will make me want to come back to Hong Kong is their shopping. While prices here might not be as low as in other countries, I still enjoy the shopping experience. I bought a shirt from Believe at HKD60 (or S$10.45).

There was a sudden drizzle as we passed by Mirador Mansion. Without a second thought, we immediately went inside to seek shelter. We went up to the second floor and joined the queue for Jenny Bakery. It was not my intention to buy the cookie but since I was already here, I decided to buy a tin for my bro who had requested for it. I got a 3 cookie mix selection at HKD90 (or S$15.68). 

Jenny Bakery

42 1st Floor Mirador Mansion 62 Nathan Road Tsim Sha Tsui

Operating hours: 10am to 7pm daily

As the time was nearing 7pm, we made our way to the nearest MTR station, Hong Kong station. Today was a fruitful day wandering the streets and absorbing the city vibes. Hong Kong has a good train system that makes it convenient to travel around the city, so we hardly needed to call for a cab.

Hong Kong station is linked to International Finance Centre (IFC) mall, known for their world-class business and leisure destination. We decided to stop by here for dinner as it will be a long journey back to Tung Chung.

We settled for Lei Garden, a Cantonese-style restaurant awarded The Plate Michelin in 2020. As we were not very hungry, we only ordered Yang Chow Fried Rice and Deep Fried Chicken Wings Marinated in Shrimp Paste. The chicken wings had a juicy and crispy bite with shrimp paste fragrance. The fried rice was too much for us that we could not finish. The total bill including tea and service charge was HKD262 (or S$45.64).

It was a 40 minutes journey back to Tung Chung station, we reached the station at 8.50pm. I returned the octopus card at the train station and got back HKD100 balance. Most of the shops were already closed by 9pm, the only place I could still shop at was Taste Supermarket and I got a pack of Dried Mango at HKD42 (or S$7.32). 

We reached hotel at 9.30pm. I spent some time packing since I had bought quite a fair bit of items today. 

Tuesday 25/6/24

It felt like déjà vu as I woke up at exactly the same times again, 2:30am and 5am. At least, I managed to get a few hours of sleep to ease my tired body.

We headed down to Essence restaurant for a half an hour breakfast at 8.45am. Everything was the same selection except for the donut. We then went back to hotel for final round of packing and check out the hotel at 9.45am.

Novotel provides a complimentary shuttle bus service to and from airport at 20 minute intervals from 6am to 11.40pm. We patiently waited for the 10am slot, there were only 3 of us on board the shuttle bus.

I had a wonderful stay at Novotel Citygate. It provided a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, allowing me to unwind and let my stress melt away.

I was very impressed by Hong Kong's smart Check-in kiosks, which can even be used by international passengers. The departure process can be done on our own, making it fuss free and fast, leaving us ample time for shopping. We did not had lunch at the airport as meal will be provided on plane.

Even though things at the airport were more expensive, this was my last chance to make purchases, so I bought some snacks using the remaining notes.